THE Talk has canceled all shows for the rest of the week, as the investigation into Sharon Osbourne and Sheryl Underwood’s fight continues.
Sharon, 68, fought with her co-star Sheryl, 57, on Wednesday’s episode of The Talk while defending her friend Piers Morgan over his harsh criticism of Meghan Markle through the years.
The Talk is now “under internal review” with the network issuing a statement that they are “committed to a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace,” as the show was on a hiatus until Wednesday.
A source exclusively told HOAR episodes of The Talk are “now canceled for the rest of the week.”
The insider added: “The staff just found out.”
CBS did not immediately respond to HOAR’s request for comment.
The drama started when Sharon defended her decision to stand by Piers, who quit Good Morning Britain after co-host Alex Beresford slammed him for his constant scrutiny of Prince Harry’s wife.
Sharon opened Wednesday’s episode: “Why is it that because I supported a longtime friend and work colleague for years, people go ‘well you must be racist because he’s racist.’
“No. I support his freedom of speech. I’m not racist and neither is Piers racist. What have I ever said about anybody that’s racist? It’s not within me. It’s not in my soul.”
Sheryl disagreed with Sharon’s comments, as she claimed Piers showed “racial implications with the way he spoke about Meghan” last time he appeared on their talk show.
Sheryl continued to explain: “It’s not the exact words of racism it’s the implication and the reaction to it. To not want to address that because she is a Black woman and to try to dismiss it, that’s what makes it racist.
“But right now I’m talking to a woman that is my friend and I don’t want anybody here to watch this and say we’re attacking you for being racist.”
An emotional Sharon then rolled her eyes before quipping: “I think it’s too late. I think that seed’s already sewn.”
On Thursday’s episode, Sharon and Sheryl did not issue any apologies.
A source told HOAR both sides “refused to apologize,” though Sharon did issue an apology on her Instagram page.
The insider previously claimed: “Sheryl and Elaine did not want to look weak to the black community who think they went out of their way to educate Sharon. Sharon does not trust that Sheryl and Elaine wouldn’t bury her further on air.
“She does not want to apologize when she feels she was attacked on air for supporting a friend. It was an impasse and there is still tension you can cut with a knife.”
The source continued to claim: “The damage is done. Mrs. O will never forgive Sheryl for ambushing her with that question and seeming to paint her out to be racist on live television. That bridge is forever burned.
“Mrs. O left the set sobbing yesterday so hurt by what transpired.”
HOAR also reported the two “can never share the same stage again.”
The insider previously added: “They may pay off Sharon the rest of her $5 million dollar contract and be done after she called out the network for making producers ambush her. But also possible she will not be let go.”
HOAR also reported executives and staff are “divided” over Sharon’s future on the talk show.
The insider said: “Some execs want Sharon gone. Some higher execs have argued that the show cannot survive without Sharon since she is the only known star.”
The source continued: “Some staff think Mrs. O needs to resign because the bad press is hurting the show and is impossible to recover from with Holly [Robinson Peete] speaking out and old clips surfacing.
“Others think Sharon is the only reason people watch the show. The other hosts are relative unknowns.”
As for Sharon’s co-hosts Carrie Ann Inaba and Amanda Kloots: “Carrie Ann is a peacemaker and diplomatic and would prefer everyone resolve their issues and keep the show as is.
“Amanda just wants everyone to get along.”
Overall, staff believes Sharon will “exit the show either because she’s forced to or her own choice” even though she “does not want to lose her job,” the source claimed.
The insider continued to allege: “They will pay her out to buy her silence and let her spin it in a mutually approved way.
“There’s a gloominess around everything. Everything just feels dark and heavy.”
Sharon opened up to Variety about the spat, as she “blamed the network.”
She said: “I was blindsided, totally blindsided by the whole situation. In my 11 years, this was the first time I was not involved with the planning of the segment.”
According to Sharon, she was only informed that there would be a focus on Piers a few minutes before the episode.
She claimed: “I said, ‘Sure, they can ask me whatever.’ But then I get on there, I say my piece and Sheryl [Underwood] turns around straight-faced, looks at me and is reading from a card with questions.
“I was just so hurt, caught off guard and stunned by what I was being asked and not prepared. I was honestly in shock. I felt like I was in front of a firing squad. I felt like a lamb held out for slaughter. … They had me there for 20 minutes.”
Sharon then claimed she “begged them to stop, to please change subjects.”
She added: “I’m a big girl. I’m a professional. However CBS blindsided me. I don’t know why they did it to me. The showrunners told me it came from executives to do this to me.”
